Adjustable chair



Aug. 31 1926.

J. F. WALTON ADJUSTABLE CHAIR Filed Dec. 8; 1924 3 M N m m Z Mm J 1 A Patented Aug. 31, 19.26.

nairsosrarss Mam orricsf JERROLD F. WALTON, OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T ROYAL EASY CHAIR COMPANY OF ST'URG-IS, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

Application filed December 8, 1924. Serial N0. 754,572

This invention relates to improvements in adjustable chairs.

My improvements are especially designed for and I have illustrated the same as embodied in adjustable chairs of the Morris type, although they are readily adapted for and desirable in other types of chairs.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable chair which is very securely held in its adjusted positions and at the same time may be easily released to permit adjustment.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the ac companying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a front view of a chair embodying the features of my invention, the back side members and cushion being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. II is a vertical detail section on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. I.

Fig. III is a fragmentary inverted View.

Fig. IV is a detail section on a line corresponding to line H of Fig. III.

In the drawing the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines and similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in all of the views.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the main frame of the chair, including as a fixed part thereof the side or arm members 2 indicated by dotted lines. The back 3 is an adjustable back, the details of the hinge connection for the back not being illustrated as they form no part of this invention.

The cushion t is indicated by dotted lines at 4. The frame is provided with a horizontally disposed bottom bar 5 having a longitudinal slot 6 therein through which the arm 7 carried by the back projects. On the under side of this bar I mount a boxlike housing designated generally by the numeral 8 constituting a holder for the relatively fixed clutch plates 9 and a support for the sliding clutch plates 10 which are slidably associated with the fixed clutch plates and disposed in alternating relation relative thereto.

The sliding clutch plates are connected to thearm 7 by the link 11. sure is applied to the clutch plates by means of the spring 12 carried by the arm 13 projecting from the housing 8. This arm projects outwardly and upwardly at one side of the bar 5.

The clutch actuating lever 145 is pivoted at 15, the spring being connected to its inner end. The thrust plate 16 is provided with a lug 17 projecting downwardly through the bottom of the housing to engage the lever between its pivot and the point of connection of the spring to the lever so that the spring normally engages the clutch and throws the outer end of the lever downwardly.

To release the clutch I provide a pull strap 18 which is connected to the outer end of the lever and provided with a finger ring 19 at its upper end. This strap is slidably supported by arranging therethrough a pocket or supporting loop 20 on the inner side of one of the side members 2. Itis thus supported in convenient position for grasping so that the clutch releasing action is easily exerted.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination in a chair comprising side members and an adjustable back, of a horizontal bottom bar, a housing mounted on the under side of said bar, a plurality of relatively fixed clutch plates disposed in said housing, a plurality of sliding clutch plates operatively connected to said back and disposed in alternating relation with said fixed clutch plates, a lever pivotally mounted on said housing, an arm on said housing, a clutch actuating spring carried by said arm connected to the inner end of said lever, a thrust plate disposed in said housing below said clutch plates and provided with a projecting lug engaging said lever between its pivot and said spring, a pull strap connected to the outer end of said lever and provided with a finger ring at its upper end, and a supporting loop for said strap secured on the inner side of one of the side members of said chair whereby an upward pull on the Clamping presstrap will counteract said spring, thereby releasing the clutch.

2., The combination in a chair comprising an adjustable back, of a housing,-a plurality of relatively fixed clutch platesdisposed in said housing, a plurality of sliding clutch plates operatively connected to said back and disposed in alternating; relation with said;

jecting lug engagingsaidi lever between its pivot and; said spring, aiidapull strap connected'to the outer; end of said leverv and c isposed on the inner side of one of said side members. i

' 3. The combination ina chaircomprising an adjustable back, of a housing, a plurality of relatively fixed clutch plates disposed, in said housing, a plurality of sliding plates operatively connected to said back and disposed in alternating relation with said fixed clutch plates, a lever pivotally mounted on said housing, a spring carried by said housing connected to the inner end of said lever, aithrust. member engaging said lever between its pivot and said spring, and. a pull strap connected to the outer endof said'lever.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. Y

JERROLD F. WALTON. 

